Over 600 ‘shadow’ at 500 workplaces throughout Ireland on Job Shadow Day 2015

Job Shadow Day, Wednesday 22nd April, saw over 600 individuals with a disability shadow a work place mentor at 500 employment sites throughout Ireland. The highlight of IASE National Supported Employment Week, Job Shadow Day promotes equal opportunities for people with disabilities through supported employment.

IASE Chairman Greg Barry commented: “There has been great progress in recent years in promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workforce, however, research still indicates that people with disabilities in Ireland are only half as likely to be employed as the rest of the working age population. The Job Shadow initiative has proven to ‘open doors’ to the workplace by raising awareness amongst employers and highlighting the skills, abilities and positive contribution people with disabilities can, and do, make at work.”

Job Shadow Day is designed to give individuals with disabilities the unique opportunity to discover and learn about the skills and education required to succeed in the work place. Now in its 8th year, the experience provided on Job Shadow Day has proven to be invaluable for the employers, workers and people with disabilities involved. Last year, over 625 individuals with a disability shadowed at 501 employment sites in Ireland, with 34 securing a permanent job placement as a direct result. 113 jobs have been secured through the initiative since 2008.

Padraig O Ceidigh, IASE Patron commented“If you are an employer I encourage you to embrace National Supported Employment Week by engaging with the Job Shadow program. This is a real opportunity to create a wonderful experience with our community in a way that makes a real and lasting difference. Let’s together create better and more inclusive communities.”

This year, the IASE is inviting the public to join the conversation on social media – tweeting a workplace selfie under the hashtag #workie or taking a 60 second video explaining why you support Job Shadow Day @IASEemployment.

Ireland’s number one recruitment website, IrishJobs.ie is the main sponsor of National Supported Employment Week and the Job Shadow initiative.

Orla Moran, General Manager at IrishJobs.ie said: “It is fantastic to see an increasing number of employers taking part in Job Shadow Day each year, further highlighting the positive experience for all involved. We are proud to support such a significant and inclusive initiative and look forward to welcoming Grace to the IrishJobs.ie team for the day.”

During IASE National Supported Employment Week (20th to 26th April), Supported Employment organisations, jobseekers and employers will showcase employment for people with disabilities through a variety of themed events, seminars and a national publicity campaign raising awareness of employment for people with disabilities.